1:30-A couple things I wanted to pass along from today and the last couple of days:

-A lot of people have asked me about why the Ravens didn’t go after Chris Chambers. First, the Ravens never technically had the chance to pursue Chris Chambers. The Chiefs put in a waiver claim for the former Chargers WR-and they have a higher priority. However, I was given the impression that the Ravens really weren’t all that interested in him. A lot of people think of Chambers as a big target, but he’s only listed at 5’11” (and I’ve been told he’s actually 5’10”); this makes him not much taller (if at all) than Derrick Mason and Mark Clayton.
-Terrell Suggs said something interesting yesterday in talking about the chess match the Bengals will be playing since they beat the Ravens the first time the teams played this season. He said he expects the Bengals to spend the first quarter trying to show the Ravens something different from what they did the first time the teams played. He said after the first quarter, they’re likely to go back to doing exactly what they’ve done best over the first half of the season.
-Greg Mattison had no complaints about the number of pass interference calls going against his defense, saying “calls are calls.” He made an interesting comparison in saying that when the Ravens have been forced to cover taller wide receivers this season (Chris Henry will be another such target); the height differential has made it “like a guard trying to cover a center” in basketball.

1:24-Some quick notes from practice:

-Haloti Ngata was not present for a 2nd straight day
-Haruki Nakamura (chest) returned
-While Matt Katula nurses an elbow injury, Willis McGahee was working on long snapping. There is a rumor Mark Clayton is also a capable long snapper (why not, he can do everything else). I would imagine the Ravens would much rather have a lineman do it in an emergency role (Justin Bannan may also be capable)……but we are expecting Matt to be healthy in time for the trip to Cincy.
-While we’re on McGahee, Cam Cameron was asked earlier this morning about McGahee’s role. He told reporters “there’s just not enough snaps” to give him a bunch of carries, saying that the number of snaps in the Chiefs game was significantly more than the Ravens have had since. He did reiterate “but he’ll play.” He also said Ray Rice was “still scratching the surface” as a NFL running back.

1:12-A lot of stories being written locally and nationally about Michael Oher due to the pending release of “The Blind Side” in theaters. (You can read my review in this morning’s “Crabs and Beer”.)

When asked about Michael this morning, Cam Cameron said he knew Michael would be a starting Offensive Tackle as soon as he saw him at last year’s Senior Bowl. When asked if he was surprised by anything with Oher’s very quick maturation-Cameron quipped “Once you’ve met him, nothing has been a surprise.”

1:07-Injury-wise, here are the updates I can give you:

-Still no Haloti Ngata in the locker room, but Greg Mattison said he feels “very good about” the chances the big man will play Sunday against the Bengals. I think Haloti must return to practice by Friday to really have a chance, as putting weight on an injured ankle can really hurt a guy hauling around 300+ pounds.
-Matt Katula said he had “soreness” in his elbow, stemming from the motion of snapping the football. It doesn’t appear to be a major issue; and Jerry Rosburg didn’t even identify any sort of backup Long Snapper on the roster; just saying it was “curious” that the Ravens don’t have one listed on the depth chart.
-Opinions vary on Haruki Nakamura, who I was unable to grab during today’s locker room session. It will be interesting to see if he returns to the practice field today. He’s listed with a “chest”, but it is believed he strained a stomach muscle against the Broncos.
-Frank Walker downplayed the stomach ache that kept him out of practice yesterday, calling it just a “stomach ache.”

Also, LB Antwan Barnes joined Drew Forrester this morning on The Comcast Morning Show; that’s also available in the Audio Vault at WNST.net. LB Prescott Burgess will join Drew tomorrow morning at 7:15, listen live on AM1570 WNST!

11:21-Greetings from 1 Winning Drive, where it is Coordinators Day. We’ll hear from Greg Mattison, Cam Cameron and Jerry Rosburg today as the Ravens continue preparation for Sunday’s trip to Paul Brown Stadium to play the Cincinnati Bengals. We’ll hope to hear from Haloti Ngata as well, but won’t hold our breath.